Blackberry Grape Smash Cocktail
The Blackberry Grape Smash Cocktail makes the coming of July ok. Summer is here. I am not a fan of summer. I know I’m in the vast minority. I felt cheated this year because we had no real snow during winter. The minute that humidity swells, I grow anxious.
Certain things help. The fact that we are mostly at home now helps everything. The three air conditioners and three ceiling fans also serve a great purpose. The fact that my cat spends his days on his back, belly exposed, in the exact trajectory of the frigid moving air, tells me that he is not stupid.
This cocktail is such a juicy one. It has a few simple parts: freshly made grape juice, which you can easily buy (there are great organic grape juices including white, red, and concord), a handful of smashed blackberries to deepen the cooling depth, some vodka for a little wintery pep, and a seltzer floater which is optional. Mint just adds that extra coolness factor.
If you enjoy the heat of summer, this drink will work equally for you. Everyone needs some cooling off and kicking back. Grape juice benefits us in much the same way as red wine, and vodka is the cleanest liquor around.
Even if you don’t drink, a virgin version takes just as good. Enjoy a Blackberry Grape Smashed Cocktail this summer and cool off with me.
Blackberry Grape Smash Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker, can use anything that works.
Ingredients
- 4 oz Vodka
- 1 cup Freshly juiced black grape juice or store bought grape juice of preferred variety
- 8 Blackberries
- 1/2 cup Seltzer
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice
- Ice
- Mint sprigs
Instructions
- Freshly juice the grape juice – I used about 1/2 large bunch of black grapes, but you can use whatever type of grape you like most, or, as said, buy a good organic grape juice.
- Muddle the blackberries, mint and lemon juice until mostly pulverized.
- Add blackberry mix, along with vodka and grape juice, to shaker with ice and shake it up!
- Pour into cocktail glass and float seltzer on top if using, and add additional sprig of mint.
- Cool off all summer long. You can up the recipe and make a pitcher of these beauties for any garden gathering as well. Its very easy to drink, so mind your refills;)
